Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 12 Preview

Outside of the Macarthur Rams V Sydney University clash at Lynwood Park the league?s leading teams all do battle with sides who are struggling for form. Last weekend produced a mini surprise here and there but will the battlers be able to usurp the stars in Sunday?s round of football?
Macarthur Rams and Sydney University will certainly know each other well by the end of the weekend as they meet twice in two days. A catch up game from a previously postponed match is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Sydney University Oval followed by the return bout on Sunday at Lynwood Park.
Sydney University certainly have been under the pump in the last week with matches against Manly United FC last Friday, Illawarra Stingrays the following Sunday and now two games against the defending premiers this weekend. I can?t think of a tougher way to put University?s finals credentials under the spotlight than a run like this! Sydney University put up a creditable performance against Illawarra Stingrays; a game in which they showed plenty of spirit and skill. They?ll need to lift another level again though against the side that many people think are destined for their third title in a row.
Macarthur Rams sit second on the ladder but with two games in hand. Their statistics look formidable though they haven?t necessarily played to their full potential in recent matches. The problem for opposing sides is that The Rams have so many players capable of scoring goals that if one top gun doesn?t get you, the other does. Renee Cartwright was in top form last weekend with a hat trick against Penrith Nepean United. Macarthur haven?t been as bedevilled with injury in the manner of many other sides and being able to field a stable squad is a big advantage.
The Rams should be focussed for a meeting with another potential finalist. Sydney University will certainly need to be on guard against The Rams various attacking options but will also have to conjure up some weapons of their own to test the best defence in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League.
The Sutherland Sharks are at home for their game with Manly United FC on Sunday.
The Sharks came ever so close to their second win of the season last Sunday against the Marconi Stallions. A late fight back by The Stallions saw Sutherland leave Marconi Stadium with only one point rather than three but, given the season they?re having, The Sharks would have taken some solace from that. Sutherland haven?t fared too well against the top teams in 2009. A clash with the physical, free flowing Manly side doesn?t promise to be an ideal afternoon?s endeavour for The Sharks. Can they pull off a shock result?
Manly United FC got past NWS Koalas last weekend to consolidate their spot on the ladder. They appear a more consistent side in 2009 though they are yet to show that they can match the likes of The Rams and The Stingrays. That said there?s still room for improvement in this Manly side who are sure to be in the thick of things come finals time. Wins in games like this one; games they are expected to win, are essential to maintain momentum and confidence. Always be wary of banana skins, however!
The most likely result here would certainly be a Manly win. The Sharks will be out to prove the pundits wrong but will need a big improvement in form to force an upset.
The Illawarra Stingrays return to J.J.Kelly Park still sitting atop the ladder after a tradesperson like win over Sydney University last Sunday. The Stingrays will be missing leading goalscorer Michelle Heyman due to suspension but are hardly stuck for possible replacements. With Ash Connor, Michelle Carney and Sam Muscat aboard The Stingrays won?t be short of firepower for their clash with the battling Stallions. When this sided get going they are pretty to watch, making them a very difficult opponent to contain. They certainly appear one of the teams to beat in the title race.
Marconi Stallions nearly came to grief last Sunday against the struggling Sutherland Sharks. A couple of late goals got them a point but if The Sharks could put three past them one can only wonder what The Stingrays may do. It?s a tough job when you?ve basically lost more than half your first grade side from last season; one that won?t be made any easier by seeing so many familiar faces on the opposite side of halfway. Maybe that in itself will inspire a better performance from Marconi this week.
The Stingrays will be hot favourites for this one. It?s a shame seeing one of the perennial female football powerhouses like Marconi sitting nearer bottom than top on the ladder. Can they bounce back?
The final game for review this week is the NWS Koalas and Penrith Nepean United game from ELS Hall Park.
The Koalas started the season looking as if the big names they lost in the off season were not going to be missed. However, as the injury toll has mounted the club?s depth has been sorely tested. A couple of games have slipped from their grasp in difficult circumstances and may prove costly as we wind towards the finals. Sunday?s game is very important for The Koalas, being a must win to enable them to keep pace with the top four. Coach Claude De Francesco will be looking for a big effort from his squad.
Penrith Nepean United had plenty of reason to celebrate last weekend, managing their first win of the season on Friday night against Marconi Stallions. Sure, Sunday?s loss to Macarthur Rams dulled things a little but the girls had every reason to have a few champagne corks popping. Now they?re off the bottom of the ladder they?ll be keen to find some more points. The Koalas will be a different proposition to Marconi but with a touch of confidence up their sleeves it could be time for Penrith to spring an upset.
The competition ladder says the three points belong to The Koalas. Will Penrith tip the ladder on its head?
Upsets look hard to find in the weekend schedule but you never know in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League. The football will be fast and furious with everyone chasing competition points. The girls could do with your support so get yourself to a ground on Sunday and enjoy the football.
-By Ross Anderson